National Children’s Dental Health Month

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month—a perfect time to get your kids on the right track toward good dental hygiene. And if you think baby teeth aren’t that big of a deal, think again—these tiny teeth are responsible for creating the spacing arrangement for adult teeth that will come in later on. They also help your child learn to chew properly, as well as form words, so they’re pretty important. Here are a few tips to help ensure a healthy start with your child’s teeth.

Start early. Dentists say you can start when your children are actually in the womb by eating a good, healthy diet and taking the proper vitamins. These give your kiddo the best start in developing healthy bones and teeth.

Wipe, wipe, wipe. Before your baby even has teeth, use a clean cloth to gently wipe his gums clean after each feeding to eliminate sugars and other substances that can get lodged there. As he ages, you can begin using a small brush that fits over your finger and baby toothpaste. This can be done up to age two.

Start brushing. Your two-year-old can start experimenting with a non-flouride toothpaste. Help him pick out a fun toothbrush at the store, and use a pea-sized amount of swallow-safe toothpaste, such as Orajel Toddler Training Toothpaste, to teach your child to brush. Provide a cup for water and spitting, since your child likely won’t be able to cup it in his hand like many adults can do. Use a timer or other device to make sure your child brushes for two minutes. Once your toddler is comfortable brushing and spitting, by age four you might start using a fluoride-containing toothpaste.

Floss. When your child’s teeth begin to touch, usually around age three or four, you can start flossing them yourself. Let him watch you floss, too. Even though he probably won’t be able to floss himself until age eight or older, it’s good to start the healthy habit early.

See the dentist. Schedule an appointment with a child dental specialist in your area. You can get recommendations from your pediatrician or your own dentist. Ask bout sealants to protect your child’s teeth and any other measures you can take to improve his dental health.

Serve water between meals. This will prevent milk and other drinks from causing tooth decay throughout the day. And when you do serve milk or non-water beverages, use a straw when possible to cause less dental contact.